Two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus discussing the recent events in Jerusalem, when Jesus said, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Lk. 24:25-26).

This rebuke can rightly be applied to the premillennialists because they have the same mindset as the Jews.

Premillennialists believe Jesus came the first time to establish a kingdom, but was surprisingly rejected by the Jews. Thus, He could not begin a kingdom, so God decided to start the church that will last until Christ comes again. He will then establish a kingdom in Jerusalem and reign for 1,000 years.

Jesus rebuked such an idea. Read Luke 24:19-27. The Old Testament foretold the suffering and death of Christ; God knew He would be rejected by the Jews. Yet, the prophecies about the kingdom did not fail (Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:6). The kingdom is the church; same head [king, high priest] and body [citizens, members] (Matt. 16:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:15; Phil. 3:20; Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:27).

Steve F. Deaton